Week Seven of My #SummerofVintageKidLit – Dancing Shoes!
I’m excited to begin week seven of my #SummerofVintageKidLit! If you haven’t yet heard about my summer reading challenge, you can take a look at my recent blog post that has all the details.
Last week we read Return to Gone-Away, and you can read my quick recap in the comments of this post 🙂
This week, we’re reading Noel Streatfeild’s Dancing Shoes, which is one of the most well-known books by the author of “Ballet Shoes.” It’s a fascinating read full of theater drama, family conflict, and a very satisfying and happy ending! I spoke in greater detail on this book in an earlier post, and this lovely story continues to be one of my all-time favorite novels.
Here’s a summary about this book from Goodreads:
Aunt Cora is determined to turn two orphans, perky Hilary and sullen Rachel, into members of her dance troupe. But Rachel wants to keep Hilary from being one of Wintle’s Little Wonders—is it selfishness or something else? Misunderstandings and a spoiled cousin come together for a tale full of high drama.
Happy Reading! Feel free to discuss this book by leaving a comment below, or tweet about it using the hashtag #SummerofVintageKidLit! Or join my Facebook group to be alerted of all the latest posts.
Recently Read: Patty Fairfield by Carolyn Wells, Cobblers’ Knob by Eleanore M. Jewett, The Island of Adventure by Enid Blyton
Currently Reading: Noel Streatfeild’s Holiday Stories, Half Magic by Edward Eager, The Ghost of Blackwood Hall by Carolyn Keene
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UPDATE 8/7
I just read this book last year, and it still felt completely rereadable and engaging. The characters, the fascinating dynamics, the slow blossoming of Rachel’s confidence, and the theater/dance tidbits are among my very favorite aspects of this book, and in all of Streatfeild’s work.
Reading this has simply made me want to read all the others. Party Shoes! White Boots! The Gemma books! Apple Bough! The Painted Garden! I could go on.